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After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to takeanother woman out to dinner and a movie. She said Ilove you but I know this other woman loves you andwould love to spend some time with you.

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was myMOTHER,who has been a widow for 19 years, but thedemands of my work and my three children had made itpossible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinnerand a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother isthe type of woman who suspects that a late night callor a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you," Iresponded. "Just the two of us."

She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "Iwould like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her upI was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, Inoticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about ourdate. She waited in the door with her coat on. She hadcurled her hair and was wearing the dress that she hadworn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as anangel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with myson, and they were impressed, "she said, as she gotinto the car. "They can't wait to hear about ourmeeting". We went to a restaurant that, although notelegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took myarm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down,I had to read the menu. Half way throughthe entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sittingthere staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips

"It was I who used to have to read the menu when youwere small," she said.

"Then it's time that you relax and let me return thefavor," I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation -nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recentevents of each other's life. We talked so much that wemissed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll goout with you again, but only if you let me inviteyou." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I gothome. "Very nice. Much more so than I could haveimagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heartattack. It happened so suddenly that I did to not get to doanything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copyof a restaurant receipt from the same place mother andI had dined.

An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. Iwasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, Ipaid for two plates - one for you and the other foryour wife. You will never know what that night meantfor me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of sayingin time: "I LOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones thetime that they deserve. Nothing in life is moreimportant than your family. Give them thetime they deserve, because these things cannot be putoff till "some other time."